China is the earliest country in the world to harvest, utilize, and artificially cultivate pearls. The “Nanzhu” (Hepu seawater pearls) and freshwater pearls have been passed down through more than 4000 years of history, creating a unique Eastern pearl civilization.
The Book of Documents “Yu Gong” records "Huai Yi Zhu and Fish". Natural pearls produced in the Huai River were listed as tribute during the Xia Yu period, which is the earliest written record of Chinese pearls; At that time, Zhuji was regarded as an ancient treasure, often used for the production of ritual vessels and decoration for nobles, showcasing its nobility.
Pearls have become valuable gifts and cross-border trade items between feudal states, with their circulation expanding continuously. The well-known allusion of “buying bamboo and returning pearls” was born during this period, becoming vivid evidence of the precious value of pearls.
Hepu (now Beihai, Guangxi) became the core production area of Chinese saltwater pearls (Nanzhu), establishing the mainstream position of Nanzhu for thousands of years; The court established Zhuya Commandery in Hainan to manage pearl harvesting affairs. Pearls are used to make crowns, court uniforms, Buddha statues, etc., becoming an important symbol of imperial power and status, and are exported to Southeast Asia and South Asia countries through the Maritime Silk Road.
The embryonic form of artificial pearl cultivation emerged in China. The ancients induced pearl cultivation by implanting nuclei or foreign objects into clams, pioneering the world's artificial pearl cultivation and promoting the pearl industry to leap from natural harvesting to artificial cultivation.
The court specially established a “pearl official” responsible for pearl collection and industrial management; The North Pearl (Danshui Pearl) produced in Northeast China is highly sought after by the royal family and nobles due to its warm texture, becoming an exclusive treasure of the court.
In Pang Yuanying's "Miscellaneous Records of Wenchang", the world's earliest mature artificial pearl cultivation technique was recorded in detail, marking the systematic development of Chinese artificial pearl cultivation technology and leaving a significant mark in the history of world pearl development.
In the twelfth year of the Hongzhi reign (1499), the court organized 800 ships and over 8000 people to go to Hepu to collect pearls, ultimately collecting 28000 taels of pearls, setting a historical record for the highest pearl collection; The imperial court established a specialized official office in Hepu to manage the Pearl Pool. The industry consensus that “East Pearl is not as good as West Pearl, and West Pearl is not as good as South Pearl” has been passed down to this day, and the top position of South Pearl is unshakable.
Freshwater pearl cultivation in the areas of the Taihu Lake Lake and Huzhou in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces has achieved large-scale development, and freshwater pearls have begun to rise; However, due to excessive exploitation, the resources of Northeast North Pearl are gradually depleted. During the late Qing Dynasty, with frequent wars and social unrest, the traditional pearl harvesting and artificial breeding industries gradually declined.
Pearl farming expert Xiong Daren successfully cultivated China's first modern seawater cultured pearl in Hepu, opening the way for the revival of China's pearl industry.
Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hunan and other regions have successively broken through the technology of freshwater non nuclear pearl cultivation, and the freshwater pearl industry has achieved rapid development.
Zhuji, ZhejiangShanxia Lake has developed into the world's freshwater pearl capital, becoming the largest pearl breeding, processing, and trading hub in the world; Nowadays, China's pearl production accounts for over 95% globally, with freshwater pearls occupying an absolute dominant position. It leads the world in aquaculture technologies such as nucleated freshwater pearls, Edison pearls, colored pearls, and irregular pearls, becoming the core force of the global pearl industry.
Pearls symbolize purity, wealth, auspiciousness, and completeness in traditional Chinese culture. They are a carrier of beautiful symbolism and elegant taste, and are deeply loved by the Chinese people.
According to the Compendium of Materia Medica, pearls have the effects of calming the mind, calming the nerves, nourishing the skin, improving eyesight, and removing blemishes. They are a traditional precious Chinese medicinal herb with both ornamental and practical value.
The Chinese historical allusions that have been passed down for thousands of years, such as “Hepu Pearl Returns”, “Pearl in the Sea and Moon with Tears”, and “Buying a Pagoda to Return a Pearl”, have integrated pearls into the bloodline of Chinese culture and become important symbols of Eastern aesthetics and humanistic spirit.
Join Us and Receive the Latest News and Exclusive Promotional Information
